Washing device



J. W. ALTMYER WASHING DEVICE April 28, 1931.

Filed Aug. 27, 1929 Qwwatoz J.W.Altmyer BS 2 I Patented Apr. 28, 1931 P rsr eases JOHN W. ALTMYER, F OMAHA, NEBRASKA WASHING DEVICE Application filed August 27, 1929.

This invention relates to a washing device and has relation more particularly to a means of this kind especially adapted and designed for use in the manual washing of small quantitles of clothing such as stockings and undergarments, etc.

It is an object of the invention to provide a hand operated device of this kind which is particularly adapted to wash artificial silks or other delicate washable goods such as are not susceptible of continuous rubbing without undue damage and wear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby the operation of washing dishes is facilitated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel device whereby delicate fabrics may be conveniently cleaned by the traveling public in hotel rooms and the like,

which is adapted to be folded into a compact bundle for transportation; which is economical in manufacture and of few and simple parts.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description and it is thought to be obvious that a washer constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification as p to its minor details and arrangement of parts without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish it to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out 49 my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation and partly in isometric perspective illustrating a washer constructed in accordance with the embodiment of my invention, and

Serial No. 388,665.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description the numeral 10 indicates the exterior wall of the main body portion of the washer which is preferably formed of rubber and the lower portion of which is of substantial conical-shape and provided with an open bottom.

The numeral 11 indicates a constricted neck portion which is in communication with the body portion at all times and is preferably formed integral therewith. A head portion or bulb 12 whichis preferably of greater diameter thanthe neck 11 is similarly preferably formed of rubber and preferably formed integral with the neck portion and is substantially semi-globular in shape. 7

A conduit 18 is formed integral with the wall 10 and is in communication with the bulb 12 at all times. The lower open end of the conduit 13 is shown as being in transverse alignment with the open bottom of the body portion. An annular chamber 14 is provided and formed by means of an annular wall 15 which encircles the conduit 13 and the upper end of the wall 15 is formed integral with the exterior wall 10 of the device. A second chamber 16 is thus formed as best shown in the drawing between the outer wall 10 and the wall 15. v

The lower open edge of the exterior wall 10 is preferably provided with scallops 17 for purposes later described. .The bulb portion 12 is provided with ears 18, thelatter having elongated tapered conical-shaped recesses 19 which are adapted to snugly receive therein the handles 20 which are provided with correspondingly tapered shanks for the purpose of being gripped within the recesses 19 of the ears and it will be understood that the handles 20 will normally remain secured within tne ears 18jby reason of the inherent resiliency of the rubber of which the ears are formed and thatthe handles may be removed and lodged within the conduit 13 and thus make a compact package for delivery through the mails or otherwise. Similarly the handles may be disposed within said conduit and the device compressed or folded to occupy a comparatively small space within a satchel during the transportation of a device.

A spring 21 is preferably removably positioned within the bulb 12. l or certain types of washing the spring may. be dispensed with. A plurality of port holes 22 are provided through the annular wall 15 and by this means a communication is established between the chambers 14 and'lli at all times.

In the operation of the device, the clothing to be washed is put in a wash basin and associated with the usual amount of water ano soap suds, the latter being provided in a well known manner. The device is now pl ced on top of the clothes and may be moved up and down while the operator at the same time moves the handles 20 toward each other, the spring 21 at this time aiding in returning the handles to a normal outward position in manner whereby the bulb 1-2 will be returned to a normal position. A compressive stroke of the handles 20 toward each oth r will cause the air within the bulb 12 to be excluded. A partial vacuum will tend to be formed within the bulb upon the release of the handles or the movement of the latter outwardly. Hence, an upward suction of water through the clothing and conduit will be caused. The suction causes suds to pass through the scallops 17, upwardly in chamber 16, and downwardly through chamber l l into the mouth of the conduit 13 thereby spreading the washing area over the clothing to an area. equivalent to the diameter of the bottom of the device. Thus, the agitation of the suds is most Violent or active at the lower end of the conduit 13 because the suction and force are confined to a relatively small area. The operation is repeated and the movement of the water and suds through the clothes, together with the pushing and pulling movement created by means of the suction occasioned by the compression and expansion of the bulb 12 will cause the dirt within the clothes to become loosened and removed therefrom.

The overall function of the device and the several instrumentalities thereof is to clean clothes without creating a rubbing action such as is undesired in cleaning, especially artificial silks. It will be understood that the operation of the bulb draws the water up through the clothing and again forces it back through the latter while the whole device is moved from place to place upon the clothing during the violentaction of sudswater through the material being cleansed.

When the device is to be used for washing dishes the handles 20 may be dispensed with and the device operated with one hand and at such time particularly the spring 21 is depended upon for returning the bulb 12 to a normal position; 7

It will be noted that the lower edge 17 of the device is particularly useful when washing dishes, in that at such times it is generally not desired to cause a sudden suction and flow of water but to allow the latter to move outwardly through the cut-away openings of the scalloped edge 17 of the exterior wall when said edge is placed upon a fiat surface such as a plate. The uneven edge 17 is also useful when washing a large flat surface, such as a platter, since the water is permitted-to flow outwardly between the surface of the platter and adjacent to the tips of the corrugated portions 17 and thus the washing action of the water will be spread evenly over the platter and not confined to a space equivalent to the diameter of the bottom of the body portion 10. In practice thesca-lloped edge 17 has been found useful when it is desired to apply a brush-like action to dishes such as is required for removing a sticky substance such as syrup or egg yolk from a plate.

l; vill be noted that the new washer when formed of rubber will eliminate clattering noises such as are particularly objectionable to light housekeepers who usually perform washing operations without'the use of conventional tubs forsuch purposes, said washing usually being accomplished in a. lavatory wash basin.

I claim 1. A washing device comprising a main hollow body portion having an open bottom and a constricted neck, a hollow bulb of greater cross sectional area than said .neck and in communication therewith, said bulb being formed of resilient flexible material, and provided with a pair of handles.

2. A washing device comprising a main hollow body portion having an open bottom and a constricted neck, a hollow bulb of greater cross sectional area than said neck and in operative communication therewith, said bulb being formed of resilient flexible material and provided with a pair of handles for compressing said bulb, and spring means for returning said bulb to a normal shape.

8. A washing device comprising, in combination, a hollow body portion having a constricted neck; and a compressible bulb above said neck; and partitions within the body portion arranged to promote violent agitation of washing suds throughout the lower portion of the body when the lower end is immersed and the bulb is compressed and released.

4. A washing device including an enlarged body portion having an open lower end; an annular wall providing an elongated central conduit in the body; a constricted neck portion in communication with said conduit; and a compressible hollow bulb in operative gommunication with said neck and said conuit.

'5. A washing device of the character described comprising, in combination, a hollow main body portion having an enlarged open bottom for the reception of wash water; a compressible bulb carried by said body portion; and manual means for compressing the bulb whereby to impart washing movement to the water.

6. In a washing device including a hollow body portion formed with an exterior wall and having an open lower end, a central conduit encircled by said wall and providing an annular chamber therebetween, and a compressible bulb in communication with said conduit.

7. A washing device comprising a flexible hollow body portion having an open bottom, a bulb carried by said body, a spring for maintaining said bulb in a normal shape, and an annular wall in said body providing a conduit communicating with said bulb and terminating substantially flush with the lower end of the body.

8. A washing device of the character described, comprising a hollow main body portion made of rubber; said body portion being approximately conical and presenting substantially concentric walls coaxial therewith; one of said walls providing a central conduit; a reduced neck portion at the upper end of said main body portion a compressible bulb connected to the reduced neck portion;

:3 diametrically opposed ears on said compressible bulb each presenting a handle socket; and operating handles removably secured in said sockets.

In testimony whereof, I have afiixed my a signature.

JOHN W. ALTMYER. 

